Rafael Devers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rafael Devers |
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Devers with the Boston Red Sox in 2017
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| Boston Red Sox – No. 11 | |||
| Third baseman | |||
| Born: October 24, 1996 Sánchez, Dominican Republic |
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| debut | |||
| July 25, 2017, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
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| Batting average | .279 | ||
| Hits | 1,062 | ||
| Home runs | 200 | ||
| Runs batted in | 638 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Rafael Devers Calcaño (born October 24, 1996) is a professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic. He plays as a third baseman for the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). Rafael Devers made his big league debut in 2017. He helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series in his first full season. He has also won the Silver Slugger Award twice and been chosen for the All-Star Game three times.
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Rafael Devers: Baseball Star
Rafael Devers is known for his powerful hitting and strong arm. He quickly became a key player for the Boston Red Sox.
Early Career in Baseball
The Boston Red Sox signed Rafael Devers when he was just 16 years old in August 2013. He was considered one of the best young players from other countries. Many scouts thought he was the best left-handed hitter available. He signed a contract worth $1.5 million.
Playing in the Minor Leagues
Devers started his professional baseball journey in 2014. He played for the Dominican Summer League Red Sox. He hit very well, with a .467 batting average in his first eight games. He quickly moved up to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. In his first year, he played 70 games across two minor league teams. He hit seven home runs and had 57 runs batted in (RBIs). He even helped his team win a championship!
In 2015, Devers joined the Low-Class A Greenville Drive. He was chosen for the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. He also played in the All-Star Futures Game, which features top young players. The Red Sox invited him to their spring training in 2016. He then moved up to the High-A Salem Red Sox. By this time, he was ranked as the Red Sox's second-best young player.
Devers continued to impress in 2017. He started the season with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. He hit .300 with 18 home runs in 77 games. He was then promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. There, he hit .400 with two home runs in just nine games. His strong play meant he was ready for the big leagues.
Joining the Boston Red Sox
Rafael Devers was called up to the Boston Red Sox on July 24, 2017. Just two days later, he hit his first major league home run against the Seattle Mariners. He was the youngest Red Sox player to hit a home run since 1965!
In August 2017, Devers hit a game-tying home run against the New York Yankees' pitcher, Aroldis Chapman. This pitch was one of the fastest ever hit for a home run. Later that month, he helped his team make a triple play while playing third base. In his first season, he played 58 games, hitting .284 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs.
Postseason Success in 2017
Devers continued to shine in the playoffs. He hit a two-run home run in the American League Division Series (ALDS). This made him the youngest Red Sox player to hit a home run in the postseason. He was also one of only six players in MLB history to hit a playoff home run before turning 21. In Game 4 of the ALDS, he hit an inside-the-park home run. This made him the youngest MLB player to do so in the postseason.
Winning the World Series in 2018
Devers became the regular third baseman for Boston in 2018. He hit his first career grand slam in April. He hit another grand slam in June against the Yankees. In that game, he became the youngest player to hit a grand slam in a Red Sox–Yankees game. He dealt with some injuries to his shoulder and hamstring during the season.
Even with injuries, Devers played in 121 games. He hit 21 home runs and had 66 RBIs. While he made some errors on defense, he played much better in the postseason. He hit three home runs before his 22nd birthday, which is a rare achievement. In the American League Championship Series (ALCS), he hit a big three-run home run that helped send the Red Sox to the World Series. The Red Sox won the World Series in five games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This gave Devers his first championship title!
Strong Performance in 2019
In 2019, Devers continued as Boston's main third baseman. He was named the AL Player of the Month for May because of his great hitting. He had a remarkable game on August 13, getting six hits in one game! He was the only player since 1900 to get six hits with at least four doubles.
Devers was the first MLB player to reach 100 RBIs in 2019. He finished the season with 201 hits and a .311 batting average. He also led the American League with 54 doubles, and hit 32 home runs with 115 RBIs. He led all major league players in extra-base hits and total bases.
Playing Through 2020 and 2021
The 2020 season was shorter than usual. Devers was still Boston's main third baseman. He hit 11 home runs and had 43 RBIs in 57 games.
In 2021, Devers was chosen as the starting third baseman for the American League in the All-Star Game. He hit his 33rd home run of the season in September, reaching 100 RBIs for the second time in his career. Overall, he played 156 games, hitting .279 with 38 home runs and 113 RBIs. In the playoffs, he hit a grand slam in the ALCS. After the season, he won his first Silver Slugger Award for being the best offensive third baseman in the AL.
Recent Seasons: 2022 to 2024
Devers continued to be a star for the Red Sox. In 2022, fans voted him to start in the All-Star Game again. He hit .295 with 27 home runs and 88 RBIs in 141 games.
In January 2023, Devers signed a big 10-year contract extension with the Red Sox. This showed how important he is to the team. In 2023, he played 153 games, hitting 33 home runs and having 100 RBIs. He also won his second Silver Slugger Award.
On May 20, 2024, Devers made Red Sox history by hitting home runs in six games in a row! In July, he got his 1,000th career major league hit. He finished the 2024 season with 28 home runs and 83 RBIs.
Personal Life
Rafael Devers was born on October 24, 1996, in Sánchez Ramírez Province, Dominican Republic. His parents are Rafael Devers Sr. and Lucrecia Garcia.
Rafael's cousin, José Devers, also played in MLB for the Miami Marlins in 2021.
Rafael Devers has the nickname “Carita,” which means “baby face.” He got this nickname because he was always happy and smiling as a child. He even used this nickname on his jersey for Players' Weekend in 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Rafael Devers para niños
